The short answer
A pallet jack — also called a pallet truck, pallet mover, or pump truck — is a ground-level material handling tool designed to lift a loaded pallet a few inches off the floor and move it by hand or motor to another location. It does not stack pallets (that's a pallet stacker), it does not travel long distances quickly (that's a tow tractor), and it does not work at height (that's a forklift or lift table). It moves things horizontally, close to the ground, efficiently and affordably.
The pallet jack is the single most common piece of powered or semi-powered material handling equipment in warehouses, distribution centres, retail back rooms, and manufacturing floors. Anywhere pallets move, pallet jacks move them.
How a pallet jack works
The fork arms slide into the entry openings on the underside of a standard pallet — the same slots a forklift uses. A hydraulic pump in the handle assembly drives a cylinder that raises the forks a short distance, typically 85 mm to 200 mm (from lowered to raised). That's enough to lift the pallet clear of the floor so the load wheels can roll freely.
On a manual (hand) pallet jack, the operator pumps the handle up and down to build hydraulic pressure and raise the forks. Pushing the handle down again engages the release valve and lowers the load. Steering happens through the same handle — you pull or push the handle left or right to articulate the single drive wheel (or tandem rear wheels on wider models).
On an electric pallet jack, the pump and drive are motorized. The operator uses a throttle on the handle to drive forward and reverse, and a button or lever to raise and lower. The mechanics are the same; the effort is not.
The lift height is intentionally small. Pallet jacks are not designed to stack pallets on racking. The forks lift just far enough to clear the floor and travel. If you need to lift pallets onto a rack or stack them, you need a stacker or reach truck.
The main types of pallet jack
Manual (hand) pallet jack
The most common type. A steel frame with two fork tines, a hydraulic pump integrated into the handle, and four wheels — one large steering wheel at the rear and small load rollers near the fork tips. The operator provides all the motive force. No battery, no motor, no charging. Capacities typically run from 2,000 kg to 3,000 kg. The Jesterlift hand pallet truck range covers all three standard capacities, including the AC hand pallet truck in 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 kg variants.
Electric (walkie) pallet jack
A battery-powered version of the same tool. A small electric motor drives both the hydraulic lift and the rear wheel. The operator walks alongside or stands on a small platform (ride-on models). Electric models reduce fatigue dramatically over a shift, particularly when pallet volumes are high or distances are long. They cost more upfront and require battery maintenance, but the labour savings justify the difference in high-throughput environments.
Ride-on pallet jack
A heavier electric variant with a standing platform on the back. The operator rides on the machine rather than walking alongside. Used in larger facilities where the distance between picking zones and staging areas is significant — retail distribution centres, large warehouses.
Low-profile (low-entry) pallet jack
Designed for pallets with small entry openings or very low entry heights — skids that sit close to the ground, custom pallets, or production fixtures. The forks start at 51 mm or lower in the lowered position, compared to the 85 mm of a standard unit. Often used in automotive production, injection moulding shops, and anywhere non-standard pallets are common.
Specialty variants
Beyond the four types above, you'll find galvanized models for outdoor or wet environments, stainless steel models for food production and washdown areas, pallet jacks with integrated scales for weighing loads at the point of pick, and quick-lift models engineered to raise in fewer pumps. Each is a variant of the same hydraulic-fork concept, built for a specific environment or requirement.
Fork geometry: what the numbers mean
Fork length is the dimension that matters most for pallet compatibility. Standard European pallets (EUR/EPAL) are 1,200 × 800 mm; standard North American pallets are 1,219 × 1,016 mm (48 × 40 inches). A fork length of 1,150 mm or 1,220 mm covers both. Shorter forks (down to 800 mm) suit smaller or custom pallets; longer forks (up to 2,000 mm) handle double-pallets or long boards.
Fork width (the distance between the two tines, measured from inside face to inside face) is typically 160 mm to 220 mm. This needs to match the pallet opening. Most standard pallets are designed for this range, but check if you're using custom-built pallets or skids.
Overall width — the full width of the truck including the outer edges of the forks — determines aisle clearance. A standard 2,000 kg or 2,500 kg model is typically 540 mm wide. A 3,000 kg model widens to 685 mm. Know your minimum aisle width before specifying.
Capacity ratings: what they actually mean
The rated capacity of a pallet jack is the maximum load it is designed to lift safely under standard conditions: flat, hard floor; load centred on the forks; static lift only; operating temperature within range. If your floor is sloped, your load is off-centre, or you're moving quickly over rough transitions, the effective safe load is lower than the rated number.
A standard warehouse operation moving 1,000 kg pallets should not buy a 1,000 kg-rated pallet jack. Buy the next step up — 2,000 kg — and treat the extra capacity as your safety margin, not as wasted spec.
See our full guide on how to choose pallet jack capacity for the complete sizing methodology.
When manual is enough and when it isn't
A manual pallet jack is the right answer for low-to-medium pallet volume (roughly up to 20–30 pallet moves per shift per operator), short travel distances (under 20–30 metres per move), flat hard floors, and environments where battery charging and maintenance are not practical.
An electric model is worth the cost when volume is high, distances are long, or the operator is moving loads that are close to the rated capacity on every move. The cost of a walkie electric pallet jack is recovered quickly in reduced fatigue, fewer errors, and lower staff turnover when operators aren't exhausted by end of shift.
For a full comparison, see electric vs manual pallet jack.
Certification and standards
In North America, pallet jacks sold commercially should carry CE certification (if manufactured to European standards, which most imported units are) and comply with ASME B56.1 (the US standard for low-lift trucks) or equivalent Canadian standards. The CE mark indicates that the manufacturer has declared conformity to the EU Machinery Directive and relevant harmonised standards — for pallet trucks, that's primarily EN ISO 3691.
Certification matters because it means the hydraulic system, the structural welds, and the stability characteristics were tested to a published standard. An uncertified unit at a lower price is an unknown, not a bargain.
Explore the Jesterlift range
All Jesterlift pallet jacks ship with CE certification, a 3-year hydraulic pump warranty, and a full QC pack in the crate. Prices are published — no distributor quote wall. Ships across Canada & the US, priced in CAD.
Browse the full hand pallet truck range or the electric pallet truck range, or read the pallet jack buying guide before you spec.